Harchibald on the mend

HARCHIBALD is continuing to make good progress as he recovers from surgery on a leg problem.

The seven-year-old underwent an operation last Sunday to remove a piece of birch from his off-hind pastern and trainer Noel Meade said “it would be a miracle” if the gelding were to run in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle.

However, Harchibald is reported to be recovering well and his County Meath handler does not expect to make a definite decision on his Cheltenham Festival chances for a few weeks yet.